Dear Minister Yurek, I am…

Dear Minister Yurek,

I am writing to submit my opposition to new multi-media Environment Compliance Approvals (ECA) for 2683517 Ontario Inc. located in the City of Toronto at 633 Coronation Drive. The proponent is seeking ECAs for Air/Noise and Waste Disposal Site – Processing and Transfer Facility.

The community is strongly opposed to this facility. In recent days, I have received over 80 emails opposing the project, as well a petition signed by over 1,500 community members.

I am writing to request that you require the proponent to have a public meeting, engage with community stakeholders and conduct a traffic assessment. This would also require an extension of the May 24, 2020 closing date for comments.

As an environmental geoscientist, I recognize the value of processing waste with the goal of producing energy and fertilizer. A good example of a project in Ward 25 Scarborough Rouge Park is the ZooShare Biogas project located at 2000 Meadowvale Road, Toronto. The ZooShare Biogas co-operative project has been transparent and well communicated. It is also located in a non-residential area with good access to the 401.

My objection to the proposal by 2683517 Ontario Incorporated proposal at 633 Coronation Drive is based on the following:

1. Poor communication with the local community

My office was notified about the proposal by local residents who received an undated letter from 2683517 Ontario Inc. My office and I were not consulted or briefed about the proposal prior to these letters being circulated. Although this letter had no circulation date, recipients were advised to respond to the Ministry of the Environment Conservation and Parks (MECP) within 15-days of receipt. The notice did not even advise the community about the Environmental Registry of Ontario (ERO), where they could review, submit comments and share thoughts on the proposal's environmental impact.

Requested Action 1 - Please require the proponent to conduct a public information session with the community so that they can submit informed comments through the MECP's ERO review process.

2. Lack of engagement with the community stakeholders

On March 27, 2020, I had a phone call with the applicants. I asked them to brief the Centennial Community and Recreation Association (CCRA), as well as the West Hill Community Advisory Panel (CAP). The CCRA produces a monthly newspaper that goes out to over 4,000 homes and is an ideal opportunity to inform the community of the project and pending application. The CAP consists of 23 community and industrial members, which meet regularly. Given that this facility is located in the West Hill area, it is an ideal opportunity for 2683517 Ontario Inc. to become a true community partner. To my knowledge, the proponent has not engaged with either group.

Requested Action 2 - Please require the proponent to engage with local stakeholders so that they can submit informed comments through the MECP's ERO review process.

3. Lack of a traffic assessment

Local residents have concerns particularly rooted with an increase of transportation trucks on local roads, increased noise and risk towards children in our neighbourhood. The local community would like to know the potential impacts of this project on truck traffic through the area. There are also concerns by the community about the type of vehicles being used to transport organic waste to the facility and if there is potential for open-top vehicles to spill organic waste in the community.

Requested Action 3 - Please require the proponent to conduct a traffic assessment as part of their ERO submission so that the community can submit informed comments through the MECP review process.

By addressing the three issues above you can demonstrate to our local community that you are committed to community engagement and environmental protection. I look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,

Jennifer McKelvie, Ph.D.
Toronto City Councillor, Scarborough Rouge Park
E-mail: Jennifer.mckelvie@toronto.ca
Phone: 416-338-3771

cc : Vijay Thanigasalam, MPP for Scarborough-Rouge Park
David Lee, Senior Waste Review Engineer Coordinator, MECP
Client Services and Permissions Branch, MECP